In some regions, the return to class coincides with tighter precautions both in and out of the classroom. It's a significant clampdown that should help shield schools from rising community rates that have pushed cases, hospitalizations and deaths to worrisome highs, observers say. Teachers in the Fraser Health region are especially concerned about "schools where health and safety standards are inadequate, inconsistent, or unsafe," the B.C. The federation is calling on provincial authorities to reduce density in schools, improve ventilation, make masks mandatory in all indoor spaces and ensure educators and school staff "are appropriately prioritized" for COVID-19 vaccinations. Kindrachuk says the arrival of a more infectious COVID-19 variant from the U.K. further raises the stakes for infection control.

Source: CBC News January 10, 2021 17:37 UTC